IAF Begins Construction of Emergency Landing Airstrip on NH-44 in South Kashmir

SRINAGAR: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has started construction of a 3.5-kilometer-long runway adjacent to the National Highway (NH-44) in Bijbehara area of South Kashmir.

The work on the runway has been started on war footing and the 3.5 kilometre long runway will be used an emergency runway facility for fighter jets in case of any emergency.

The construction of such an emergency runway will play a vital role in Kashmir as the borders of the country is close to Pakistan and China and in case of any emergency between those countries this air runway will play an important role in providing help to the army and other forces.

Besides, it can be used if Pulwama-like terror attacks happen like in the year 2019. It is also expected to play an important role in natural climates like flood and other

This runway strip is coming up at the time when standoff continues between the Indian and Chinese armies along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, and the major highway connecting Ladakh to the rest of the country pass through Kashmir via this highway.

The 3.5-km-long airstrip on the Srinagar-Banihal highway is being constructed along the NH-44 from 246.2 km to 249.7 km.

The decision in this regard was taken in 2017. This airstrip is among the 12 other such strips to be constructed across the country,” a senior official said. In Other states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha and Gujarat same airstrips are being constructed.

The 3.5-km-long strip in south Kashmir would be completed at an estimated cost of around Rs 119 crore in around eight months.

Source: ZEE